Gov. Jindal Signs Order to Allow for Increase in Paramedics along the CoastStrict Rules for Temporary Permitting of Licensed Emergency Medical Technicians to be Followed

BATON ROUGE (June 4, 2010) - Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order today that will allow for an increase in the number of much-needed paramedics to care for the emergency medical needs of workers responding to the BP oil spill disaster.

The order, requested by Secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals Alan Levine and State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry, uses the governor's powers in a state of emergency to suspend statutes governing the licensure and certification of emergency medical technicians during a crisis.

The text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. BJ 2010 -9

EMERGENCY PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN EMT LICENSING LAWS

WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, R.S. 29:721, et seq., and as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a state of emergency (Emergency) was declared through Executive Proclamation No. 20 BJ 2010, extended by Executive Proclamation No. 37 BJ 2010;

WHEREAS, the Emergency has been declared a Spill of National Significance (SONS) and has significantly impacted wildlife, other natural resources, industry, and the health and safety of individuals living and working in Louisiana coastal areas;

WHEREAS, British Petroleum has contracted with many fishermen and other residents of the State of Louisiana to engage in the assessment and cleanup efforts related to the oil spill and its inundation of Louisiana's coastal beaches, marshes and wetlands;

WHEREAS, British Petroleum has been unable to procure within the state of Louisiana, the large number of Emergency Medical Technicians ("EMTs") needed to adequately assist in providing medical aid and assistance to those persons engaged in the assessments and cleanup efforts;

WHEREAS, EMTs licensed in states other than Louisiana are available to provide medical aid and assistance to those persons engaged in the oil spill assessment and cleanup efforts;

WHEREAS, La.R.S. 29:724 authorizes the governor during a declared state of emergency to suspend the provisions of any state regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conducting state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provision of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency;

WHEREAS, The Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the State Health Officer have requested that the Louisiana statutes, laws, rules, and regulations related to licensing of EMTs be temporarily suspended for those EMTs duly licensed to practice in other states who wish to provide their services in affected coastal and offshore areas to those persons engaged in the oil spill assessment and cleanup efforts.

NOW THEREFORE I, BOBBY JINDAL, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Louisiana's statutes, rules, and regulations regarding the licensure of EMTs, as required by Revised Statutes Title 40, specifically the EMT-Basic (EMT-B), EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I), and EMT-Paramedic EMT-P) (Paramedic) designations, are hereby suspended for EMTs duly licensed to practice in other states who wish to provide their services in affected coastal and offshore areas to those persons engaged in the ongoing oil spill response, removal, assessment, and other cleanup efforts. An individual currently licensed and in good standing as an EMT-B, EMT-I, or EMT-P in another state may practice in such geographic areas of the State of Louisiana, subject to the following conditions, qualifications, and parameters:

A. The individual must be duly licensed and in good standing in another state.

B. Prior to practicing in Louisiana pursuant to this Order, the individual shall submit to the State Health Officer (or his designee) a copy of the individual's out-of-state license and photo identification. Such information may be provided by contacting the Department of Public Health, Bureau of EMS.

C. The individual must submit a reciprocity application for a temporary timed permit along with appropriate fees.

D. Under the medical direction of a Louisiana Licensed Physician the individual may provide pre-hospital services only in local, parish, or state declared areas at medical sites specifically operated and designated to assist with oil spill related activities.

E. The individual may work only alongside a team of other EMTs, and must be supervised by an EMT-P licensed in Louisiana.

F. The individual must not exceed the applicable scope of practice applicable to his license, as provided for by applicable law of the state in which he is licensed.

G. The individual must cease practicing in Louisiana upon the termination or rescission of this Order or of the declared state of emergency cited herein, or any extension thereof.

SECTION 2: This Order is effective upon signature and shall be made applicable June 4, 2010, and continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the Governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 4th day of June, 2010.